The monarch, the boat also; People, water also. This knife cuts bread and fingers. -"Zhenguan politician, on political power"

2. Expand:

In the later period of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty, Wei Zhi said in his famous Ten Thoughts on Emperor Taizong: "There is not much resentment, but people are awesome. It is advisable to be cautious when the boat is overturned. " It means: resentment lies not in size, but in the deviation of people's hearts. Water can carry a boat and overturn it, so we should be highly cautious.

Emperor Taizong appreciated this view of Xunzi and Wei Zhi very much, and repeatedly quoted and developed this view when discussing the way of governing the country with the monarch and his subjects. He said in the article "On Political Power": "Jun, the boat is also; People, water also; Water can carry a boat or overturn it. "

Xunzi, Wei Zhi and Emperor Taizong all deeply realized that people's strength is extremely great, and emphasized the importance of relying on people's strength. Their brilliant idea was accepted by the ruling classes of past dynasties. It has played a positive role in promoting the rulers of past dynasties to respect the people's feelings and public opinions and to govern for the people.

The idioms "Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it" and "Carrying a boat can also overturn it" originated from the stories of Xunzi, Wei Zhi and Emperor Taizong about the relationship between the monarch and the people and its importance.